The picture itself is from a printed campaign brochure, but the volley of sniping it caused between conservatives and liberals today was all online.

The photo is from a brochure for Rep. Robert Ramirez’s campaign for re-election to House District 29. Ramirez, R-Westminister, is trying to keep the swing seat from being taken back by Democrats, who lost it in 2010. His Democratic opponent is Tracy Kraft-Tharp.

The blog piece notes what it says is a seemingly random and badly shot assortment of photos that include Ramirez’s wife in a martial arts outfit, Ramirez posing with Ronald McDonald and Ramirez posing in sunglasses in a photo the blog says makes him look like “a cross between a Kentucky Militia leader and the Unabomber.”

“That attractive blonde woman posing with Ramirez in the upper left-hand corner? That’s not his wife,” Coloradopols noted in the blog piece this morning.

It’s not Ramirez’s wife. It is his 14-year-old daughter, a fact that conservative blog ColoradoPeakPolitics.com quickly tweeted out.

“@coloradopols Y’all don’t even try anymore, do u? You attack Ramirez for including a pic w his daughter b/c…she’s not his wife,” ColoradoPeakPolitics tweeted.

The House today gave initial approval to a Republican-backed bill requiring RTD to contract out at least 50 percent of its bus service, a move Democrats called “welfare” for a handful of corporations.

Current law says that no more than 58 percent of RTD’s bus and other vehicle service can be contracted out privately, and the bill removes that ceiling and installs the 50 percent floor. That 50 percent had been the law before 2007, when a legislature with both houses controlled by Democrats removed the floor and inserted the 58 percent ceiling.

Rep. Robert Ramirez, R-Westminster, sponsored the 50 percent minimum bill and said it would help a cash-strapped RTD meet its obligations to provide bus service.

RTD, which has taken a neutral stance on the bill, now contracts out about 57 percent of its bus and vehicular service.

Republicans like Rep. Marsha Looper, R-Calhan, said the bill would help spur the economy.

Suzie and Rep. Robert Ramirez enjoy the Colorado Restaurant Association's reception on opening day of the legislature. (Lynn Bartels/The Denver Post)

Let’s hear it for the wife of Rep. Robert Ramirez, who admits she’s addicted to The Spot.

Suzie Ramirez said she’s constantly getting on the computer and will let out sounds of frustration if she discovers something new hasn’t been posted on The Denver Post’s political blog.

Her husband, a Westminster Republican, was sworn into office Wednesday on the opening day of the 2011 legislature. His campaign provided election drama because it was his victory that gave Republicans their one-seat majority, the first time since 2004 the GOP has controlled the House.

Rep. Ramirez is a member of the education and transportation committees.

Joey Bunch has been a reporter for 28 years, including the last 12 at The Denver Post. For various newspapers he has covered the environment, water issues, politics, civil rights, sports and the casino industry.